Gov. Ganduje’s speech during his chieftancy coronation in Abia

REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR OF KANO STATE, DR. ABDULLAHI UMAR GANDUJE, OFR ON THE CONFERMENT OF CHIEFTAINCY TITLE ON HIM BY THE CHAIRMAN, ABIA STATE/SOUTH EAST COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL RULERS, HIS EMINENCE, EZE EBERECHI DICK HELD AT THE EZES PALACE, UMUAHIA, ABIA STATE ON 16TH AUGUST, 2018

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Let me begin by expressing my profound gratitude to His Highness, Igwe (Dr.) Boniface Ibekwe, Eze Ndigbo Kano and members of his Palace, who worked meticulously to have us here today.

I would also like to use this opportunity to once again, on behalf of myself, the government and good people of Kano state extend our sincere gratitude to my colleague, His Excellency, the Abia state Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu for personally paying a visit to Kano to condole with us over the death of Nigerias former Permanent Representative to the United nations, Danmasan Kano, Alhaji (Dr.) Yusuf Maitama Sule. We are indeed grateful. 

I cherished event like this that seeks to bring us together and strengthen our unity despite our diverse rich cultures. It has always been my firm belief that diversity should not be used as an instrument to divide. We cannot subscribe to the Machiavellian principle that differences in language, customs and laws divide people, making them difficult to hold together.  

On the contrary, diversity breeds richness in our culture and heritage. It brings everyone together for as long as there is understanding and respectfor as long as no one thinks he or she is superior and more deserving than the rest.

Your Excellency, His Eminence, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, when I was first informed of this conferment of Chieftaincy title by His Eminence, the Eze, I found myself reflecting on the little we have been doing back home to strengthen this bond of unity.

On several occasion, I turned down offers by many different organizations and traditional institutions to give award or confer on me traditional title.

However, I gave it a second thought after critical examination considering the excellent working relationship we have with His Highness, Igwe (Dr.) Boniface Ibekwe Eze Ndigbo Kano towards promoting the cause for peaceful co-existence not only with the Ndigbo but other ethnic groups resident in Kano.

Our brave, collective pursuit in uniting this nation, underscores the fact that for as long as we have a common purpose, will find no obstacle big enough to stop us from marching on. I personally commit, in my capacity as the Governor to support all effort in ensuring that this country continue to remain one.

It has been my personal conviction that anyone who chose to come to stay in Kano should never be addressed as non indigene. And in ensuring that my conviction is real, we appointed senior aides into the government from major ethnic groups living in Kano.

In fact during the heights of the quit notice served by Coalition of Arewa Youth, I had to personally intervene by summoning series of meetings at the Government House, Kano to not only douse the simmering tension, but harmoniously resolved the crisis.

We have also introduced an Annual Inter-Religious and Community Conference towards strengthening Inter-Faith and Community Relations for Harmony, Peace and Sustainable Development in Kano state.

On infrastructure development, we executed and plan to execute development projects that directly benefit our friends the Ndigbos that included the construction of roads such as Court Road, Sabon Gari which was re-named Rochas Okorocha Road at the cost of N644, 131, 664.96 million and commissioned by Governor Okorocha himself; approval has also been given by the state Executive Council for the construction of Niger road, Hausa by Igbo road and Yoruba road at the total sum of N247, 119, 638.00 million.

The state government has also upgraded and rehabilitated Primary Health care Centre to Maternal and Child Health Centre (MCHC) along Middle Road in Sabon Gari which is also fully equipped and commissioned by the Hon. Minister of Health, Dr. Isaac Adewale.

Your Excellency, His Eminence, Ladies and Gentlemen, let me say here that the decision by His Eminence to confer on me a traditional title has no political undertone whatsoever. I am not aspiring to be the President of this country.

My willingness to accept it is merely based on need to wax stronger, the longstanding relationship between the people of Kano, the Ndigbo and other ethnic nationalities.

As you may be aware, President Muhammadu Buhari is seeking re-election in the 2019 general election.

Therefore, we count on your support to help him actualize this dream so that this region also continues to benefit from the many development projects by Mr. President.

While appreciating the resolve of His Eminence to honour my humble self and the government of Kano state with this Traditional Title, I also wish to express my gratitude to all those who worked toward making it a reality , which will no doubt encourage us to do more to keep our dear nation one.

Thank you and God Bless